Nail feeding device



April 18, 1950 G. c. PAXTON NAIL FEEDING DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 m m NINVENTOR G C. Paxton Filed Dec. 9, 1947 ATTORNEYS April 18, 1950 G. c.PAXTON NAIL FEEDING DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 9, 1947 INVENTORG C Pa "for:

ATTORNEYS Patented Apr. l8, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE NAILFEEDING DEVICE Gerald C. Paxton, Sanger, Calif., assignor to GencralNailing Machine Corporation, CaliL, a corporation of California Sanger,

Application December 9, 1947, Serial No. 790,577 l4 Claims. (Cl. 1 -16)for the purpose; such device being arrangedin a manner to reduce thenumber of nail runs required. Each nail pick which the device includesis operative to pick up, transfer, and discharge to corresponding feedtubes a pair ofnails with each oscillation of said pick.

A further object of the invention is to provide a nail feeding device,as above, wherein the same is selectively adjustable so that with oneoscillation of each pick, the same will feed either one or two nails.The picks and the actuating mechanism therefor are of novel constructionfor this purpose. Y

An additional object is to yieldably mount the picks, which are ofrotary type, so that structural damage is avoided, should a nail jam inthe mechanism.

A further object of the invention is to provide a practical nail feedingdevice, and one which will be exceedingly effective for the purpose forwhich it is designed.

These objects are accomplished by means of such structure and relativearrangement of parts as will fully appear by a perusal specification andclaims.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is atop plan view of' the improved nail feeding device, with therotary nail picks in starting position.

Fig. 2 is a similarview, but shows the rotary nail picks as cam actuatedto one feeding or nail discharging position.

Fig. 3 is a sectional elevation showing one of the rotary nail picks andthe actuating mechanism therefor.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary plan view showing the arrangement of theactuating mechanism for of the following Y single nail delivery.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentaryelevation of the motion translating mechanismemployed in connection with the actuating shaft.

Referring now more particularly to the characters of reference on thedrawings, the nail feeding device is adapted to be interposed, in a boxnailing machine, between a. shaker-type nail feed hopper and the nailingunits or the machine;-

such hopper being of the type which includes a fixed, forwardly anddownwardly inclined nail chute i which has a plurality of-transverselyspaced nail slots or runs 2, into which the nails are fed in rows 3 fromthe hopper. Each nail run 2 is defined by a pair of adjacent but spacedparallel plates 4. v

The plates 4 terminate, at their lower ends, ad-

jacent but short of a rigidly mounted horizontal cross bar 5.

In association with the bottom of the horizontal cross bar 5, and theadjacent end of the nail chute i, there is a member 6 which forms a pairof downwardly extending nail feed passages I corresponding to, butdisposed on opposit sides of, each nail run 2, directly between thelower end of chute I and the adjacent face of cross bar 5. Each nailfeed passage 1 is connected to a duct (not shown), which in turndelivers to a corresponding one of the nailing chucks of, the machine.

In direct alinement with each nail run 2, the device includes a rotarypick, indicated generally at 8, and as the construction and operation ofeach of the rotary picks 8 is identical, a description of one willsufiice for all.

Each rotary pick comprises a horizontally disposed rotary body 9 whichseats atop the horizontal crossbar 5, and is turnable about a verticalstem l0 secured to said cross bar by a headed screw ll, whose head isdisposed some distance above the body 9. A combination torsion andcompression spring I2 of helical type extends about the vertical stem Inbetween the body 9 and the head of screw I I. One end of such spring isanchored to the body 9 as shown, while the other end of said spring isanchored to an upstanding stop pin l3 on the cross bar 5 laterally inone d rection of the body 9.

Thebody 9 is formed, on the side adjacent the corresponding nail run 2and plates 4, with a radially projecting segmental carrier H whose outerarcuate edge runs in close symmetrical relation to arcuate ends of saidcorresponding plates 4, as at [5.

The segmental carrier I4 is formed with a pair of circumferentiallyspaced nail receiving notches I 6 adapted to register alternately withthe cor-' responding nail run 2 upon oscillation of the pick. Onopposite sides of each nail run 2, the corresponding plates 4 areformed, at their lower end portions, with nail passage slots ii; theplates being slopingly recessed, as at ia, rearwardly of thecorresponding slots H. The slots ll register with corresponding passagesl.

Additionally, the upper or working face of the carrier I4 is inclinedoutwardly and downwardly, as at II.

The springs 2 normally maintain each pick 8 with one of the nailreceiving notches l6 of the corresponding carrier H in alinement withthe adjacent nail run 2, whereby a nail from the row 3 feeds to suchnotch. This one notch Ii is the one opposite the corresponding stop i3.With rotary oscillation of each'pick in a direction such that thecarrier moves only through a part-cycle first in a direction away fromthe corresponding stop I! and then back to engagement therewith, a nailis picked from the nail run 2 by each notch I6 and is transferred, alongends IE, to and discharged through the corresponding nail passage slotl1. As each nail receiving notch IS, with the nail therein, registerswith the corresponding nail passage slot II, the nail head slides fromthe inclined face I! through said slot; the nail then dropping into thecorresponding nail feed passage 1.

The rotary nail picks 8 are actuated, to accomplish the above two-naildelivery with each oscillation, bymeans of the following mechanism:

Across shaft 20 is journaled directly ahead of the cross bar 5, and thenail picks 8 each include a cam arm 2| projecting therefrom on the sideopposite the carrier H and in overhanging relation and at a tangent tothe upper periphery of said shaft.

A plurality of actuating buttons 22 are removably secured to the crossshaft 20 in spaced circumferential relation; there being acircumferential row of such buttons for each cam arm 2|. The shaft 2|!is adapted to be driven counter-clockwise in a manner to be laterdescribed and the cam surfaces 2la of the cam arms 2| extend across thepath of travel of the buttons 22 with the rotation of such shaft andface. contra to the direction of travel of such buttons. Thus, since thecam arms overhang the periphery of the shaft 2|! at a tangent thereto,as the shaft 20 rotates, it carries the buttons 22 first into engagementwith the lower edges of the cam surfaces and at an angle thereto andthen along said surfaces. Thus, as each button engages a cam arm in thisfashion it moves the corresponding pick through one stroke of itsosciilation and which is in opposition to the torsion of the spring |2.After swinging the arm 2| to impart such initial stroke tothe-corresponding pick 2, the button escapes such arm, whereupon thetorsion spring l2 reacts to rotate the pick through the return strokeback into engagement with the adjacent stop II.

It will thus be noted that with rotation of the cross shaft 20 in thedirection indicated by the arrow in Pig. 3, the picks are recurringlyreciprocated; the number of reciprocations of each pick 2 correspondingto the number of buttons 22 in each circumferential row. In the presentembodiment there are three of such buttons in each row so that with eachrevolution of the cross shaft 2| the corresponding picks 8 cscillate alike number of times, i. e. three oscillations with the delivery of sixnails.

The cross shaft 2| is intermittently turned through a part circle, hereaone-third turn, by means of a Geneva movement, indicated generally at22, which movement is interposed between a shaft 20a and the shaft 2|.The shaft 22 is rocked back and forth by a radial lever 24 operated by apower oscillated rod 25. This Geneva movement is arranged to cause adwell at 7s the reversing point of the picks so that there is sufficienttime leg for a nail to feed from each nail run 2 into the thenregistering notch 6. At the starting point there is of course sumcientlag between the spring return of picks and reengagement of the buttonswith the cam arms to permit the picks to each receive a nail from thecorresponding nail run.

The vertical stem l0 corresponding to each rotary pick 8 is tapereddownwardly at the portion which forms the bearing for the body 9 of thepick; such downward taper being indicated at 26. The reason for thistaper is that it permits the corresponding pick body 9 to cant upward,as shown by the dotted lines in Fig. 3 should a nail jam between thecarrier I4 and one of the plates 4. This canting is eiiected by theupper pressure of the button crossing diagonally against the lower edgeof the cam surface 2la on the cam arm 2| which at that time overcomesthe compression strength of the spring l2. when the body 9 and relatedcam arm 2| tilts upwardly, an engaged button 22 may escape the loweredge of the cam surface and travel along beneath the arm without causingstructural damage, as would otherwise occur. Additionally, the abovetilting of the body 9 tends to facilitate clearing of a jammed nail.

As the springs l2 are also compression springs, they normally maintainthe rotary picks 8 seated level on the cross bar I, and also return saidpicks to such position after tilting on account of a nail Jam.

Under certain working conditions it may be desirable to accomplishsingle nail delivery by each carrier upon oscillation thereof throughits cycle.

This is accomplished by the simple expedient of substituting for thelarge actuated buttons 22 smaller actuating buttons, such as is shown at21 in Fig. 4. The result is an initial stroke of each carrier I4 adistance sufficient that one nail receiving notch l8 transfers a nailfrom the nail run 2 to one of the nail passage slots [1, as at A in Fig.4, yet without said carrier moving far enough for the other nailreceiving notch to pick a. nail from said run, as at B in said figure.To accomplish this, it is necessary that the spacing between the nailreceiving notches I be sufficiently great so that said one notch I! canmake discharging register with the corresponding nail passage slot l'lbefore the other notch ll registers with the nail run 2.

The above described nail feeding device, while simple, practical, andreliable in its construction and operation, provides for the feeding ofnails either in dual or single delivery from each nail run 2,selectively.

Additionally, the mounting of the rotary picks I, is such that a nailjam can occur without structural damage to the device; the resilient ortiltable mounting of the picks being a safety measure.

From the foregoing description it will be readily seen that there hasbeen produced such a device as substantially fulfills the objects of theinvention as set forth herein.

While this specification sets forth in detail the present and preferredconstruction of the device.

still in practice such deviations from such detailmay be resorted to asdo not form a departure from the spirit of the invention, as defined bythe appended claims.

Having thus described the'invention, the following is claimed as new anduseful, and upon .which Letters Patent are desired: t I

1. A nail feeding device comprising, with an inclined chute having anail run therein open at its lower end, a' supporting member mountedadjacent the lowerend of the nail run, an oscillatory pick mounted onthe supporting member in cooperating relation to the lower end of the ainclined chute having a nail run therein open at its lower end, asupporting member mounted adjacent the lower end of the nail run, anoscillatory, pick mounted on the supporting member incooperatingrelation to the lower end of the chute and said nail run, thepick having .a pair of spaced nail receiving notches thereinadapted toregister one at a time with the nail run where by to receive a singlenailtherefrom, there being nail passage slots in the chute open to itslower end on opposite sides of the nail run. means forming a. nail feedduct below each such slot, and

means to oscillate the pick to alternately register the nail receivingnotches with said nail run and corresponding nail passage slots; thepick being mounted for oscillation about an upstanding axis and having aworking edge running in close symmetrical relation to the lower end ofthe chute.

3. A nail feeding device comprising, with an inclined chute having anail run therein open at its lower end, a supporting member, mounted themember, the pick being turnable about said stem. means to oscillate thepick about the stem to alternately register the nail receiving notcheswith said nail run and a corresponding nail passage slot, the pick beingso mounted on the stem as to allow relative vertical tilting of thepick.

5. A nail feeding device comprising, with an inclined chute having anail run therein open at its lower end, a supporting member mountedadjacent the lower end'of the nail run, an oscillatory pick mounted onthe supporting member in cooperating relationto the lower end of thechute and said nail run, thepick having a pair of spaced nail receivingnotches therein adapted to register one at a time'with the nail runwhereby to receive a single nail therefrom, there being nail passageslots in the chute open to its lower end on opposite sides of the nailrun, means forming a nail feed duct below each such slot, and means tooscillate the pick to alternately register the nail receiving notcheswith said nail run and corresponding nail passage slots; the pickincluding a cam thereon, and said last v named means including a rotaryshaft having an adjacent the lower end of the nail run, an oscillatorypick mounted on the supporting member in cooperating relation to thelower end of the chute and said nail run, the pick having a pair ofspaced nail receiving notches therein adapted to register one at a timewith the nail run whereby to receive a single nail therefrom, therebeing nail passage slots in the chute open to its lower end on oppositesides of the nail run, means forming a nail feed duct below each suchslot, and means to oscillate the pick to alternately register the nailreceiving notcheswith said nail run and correspronding nail passageslots; the pick being mounted for oscillation about an upstanding axis,and said last named means including a power actuated mechanism operativeto intermittently impart part-circle rotation to the pick in onedirection, and a spring acting in alternate relation to said mechanismto impart return part-circle rotation to the pick in the oppositedirection.

4. A nail feeding device comprising, with an inclined chute having anail run therein open at its lower end, a'supporting member mountedadjacent the lower end of the nail run, a pick mounted on the supportingmember in cooperating relation to the lower end of the chute and saidnail run, the pick having a pair of spaced nail receiving notchestherein adapted to register one at a timewith the nail run whereby toreceive a element thereon adapted to recurringly engage and move saidcam through a predetermined path.

6. A nail feeding device comprising, with an inclined chute having anail run therein open at its lower end, a supporting member mountedadjacent the lower end of the nail run, a rotary pick journaled on themember for oscillation about an upstanding axis, symmetrical andcooperative working edges on the pick and chute, the pick having a pairof spaced nail receiving notches in its working edge and the chutehaving a corresponding pair of nail passage slots therein open to theworking edge on-opposite sides of the nail run, the notches beingadapted upon oscillation of the pick to alternately register with thenail run and to receive a nail therefrom,

and. to then transfer said nail to and discharge the same through thecorresponding nailpassage slot, and means to oscillate the pick.

7. A nail feeding device comprising, with an inclined chute'having anail run therein open at its Iowerend, a supporting member mountedadjacent the lowerend of the nail run, a rotary pick journaled on themember for oscillation about an upstanding axis, symmetrical andcooperative working edges-on the pick and chute, the pick having a pairof spaced nail receiving notches in its working edge and the chutehaving a corresponding pair of nail passage slots therein open to theworking edge on opposite sides of the nail run, the notches beingadapted upon oscillation of the pick to alternately register single nailtherefrom, there being nail passage slots in the chute open to itslowerend on oppo- Si e sides of the nail run, means forming a nail feed ductbelow eachsuch slot, a vertical stem on with the nail run and to receivea nail therefrom,

and to then transfer said nail to and discharge the same through thecorresponding nail passage slot, and means to oscillate the pick; theupper face of the pick at said notches being inclined downwardly andoutwardly in the direction of the chute.

8. A nail feeding device comprising, with an inclined chute having anail run therein open'at its lower end, a supporting member mountedadjacent the lower end of the nail run, a rotary pick journaled on themember for oscillation about an upstanding axis, symmetrical andcooperative working edges on the picfls and chute, the pick having apair of spaced'nail receiving notches in its working edge and the chutehaving a corresponding pair of nail passage slots therein open to theworking edge on opposite sides of the nail run, the relative spacing ofthe notches and passages being such that upon actuation of the pickthrough an oscillatory path of one extent the notches alternatelyregister with the nail run and corresponding passage, and with.

actuation of the pick through an oscillatory path of lesser extent onlyone notch alternately registers with the nail run and correspondingpassage, and means adapted to selectively receive devices adaptedto'intermittently cause oscillation of the pick through either path. a

"9. A nail feeding device comprising, with an inclined chute having anail run therein open at its lower end, a supporting member mountedadjacent the lower end of the nail run, a rotary pick journaled on themember for oscillation about an upstanding axis, symmetrical and cooperative working edges on the pick and chute, the pick having a pair ofspaced nail receiving notches in its working edge and the chute having acorresponding pair of nail passage slots therein open to its workingedge on opposite sides of the nail run, the relative spacing of thenotches and passages being such that upon actuatlon of the pick throughan oscillatory path of one extent thenotches alternately register withthe nail run and corresponding passage, and with actuation of the pickthrough an oscillatory path of lesser extent only one notch alternatelyregisters with the nail run and corresponding passage, a. driven shaft,a cam arm on the pick overhanging the periphery of the shaft, andselectively interchangeable elements adapted to be received on the shaftfor engagement with the cam arm, one such element being effective tothrow the cam arm to carry the pick through one path and the otherelement being effective to throw the cam arm to carry the pick throughthe other path.

10. A nail feeding device comprising, with an inclined chute having anail run therein open at its lower end, a supporting member mountedadjacent the lower end of the nail run, a rotary pick journaled on themember for oscillation about an upstanding axis, symmetrical andcooperative working edges on the pick and chute, the pick having a pairof spaced nail receiving notches in its working edge and the chutehaving a corresponding pair of nail passage slots therein open to theworking edge on opposite to recurringly engage and swing the cam arm inslot, and means to oscillate the pick; said last named means including across shaft adjacent the pick, the latter having a cam arm overhangingthe shaft, an element on the shaft adapted to recurringly engage andswing the cam arm in one direction to impart half-oscillation to thepick in a corresponding direction, and a spring acting on the pickalternately with said element to impart half-oscillation thereto in theopposite direction to return it to starting position.

11. A nail feeding devicecomprising, with an inclined chute having anail run therein open at its lower end, a supporting member mountedadjacent the lower end of the nail run, a rotary pick journaled on themember for oscillation about an upstanding axis, symmetrical andcooperative working edges on the pick and chute, the pick having a pairof spaced nail receiving notches in its working edge and the chutehaving a corresponding pair of nail passage slots one direction toimpart half-oscillation to the pick in a corresponding direction, and aspring acting on the pick alternately with said element to imparthalf-oscillation thereto in the opposite direction to return it tostarting position, there being mechanism to rotate said shaft in amanner to cause a dwell between the action of said element and thespring, one of the notches then being in register with the nail run.

12. A nail feeding device comprising, with an inclined chute having anail run therein open at its lower end, a supporting member mountedadjacent the lower end of the rail run, a rotary pick, means journalingthe rotary pick on the member for oscillation about an upstanding axis,symmetrical and cooperative working edges on the pick and chute, thepick having a nail receiving notch in its working edge and the chutehaving a nail passage slot therein open to its working edges, and meansto oscillate the pick to alternately register the nail receiving slotwith said nail run and said nail passage slot for transfer of a nailtherebetween; said pick journaling means including a tapered stemmounting the pick for tilting in a vertical plane.

13. In combination with a nail chute having a nail run, a nail pickco-operating with the nail run to pick nails therefrom, means effectiveto normally hold the nail pick in register with the nail run, means tointermittently oscillate the pick and carry it out of register with thenail run, yieldable means normally confining the pick to such normaloscillating movement but effective to allow the pick to tilt verticallywhen such oscillating movement is restricted and to clear it of theoscillating means.

14. In combination with a nail chute having a nail run, a nail pickco-operating with the nail run to pick nails, said nail pick beingjournaled on a vertical axis, a driven shaft, a cam arm on the pickoverhanging the shaft at a tangent to the periphery thereof.circumferentially spaced buttons on the shaft, the cam surface of thecam arm extending across the path of travel of the buttons with rotationof the shaft and facing contra to the direction of travel of saidbuttons, and yield-v able means eifective to normally hold the cam armin the path of travel of the buttons but allowing it to tilt upwardlyupon any restriction of the movement of the button along the camsurface.

GERALD C. PAXTON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name a Date 319,124 Raymond June 2, 1885447,398 Crawford Mar. 3, 1891 1,412,984 Twomley Apr. 18, 1922 1,423,778Northrup July 25, 1922 1,956,935 Twomley May 1, 1934

